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U 0 provide for reclamation of mined lands. The stated intent (Section 2712) of SMARA is to ensure that: }� a) Adverse environmental effects are prevented or minimized and that all mined lands are reclaimed to a usable condition that is readily adaptable for alternative land uses; b) The production and conservation of minerals are encouraged, while giving consideration to recreation, watershed, wildlife, range and forage, and aesthetic enjoyment; and Rei � c !� Residual hazards to the public health and safety are eliminated. The southern half of the project site located within an area classified by California Division ,.} of Mines and Geology (CDMG) as a MRZ-2 Mining Resource Zone. The area has also been classified as a mineral resource "sector" by CDMG. The identification of the area as a mineral resource "sector' implies that current land uses are compatible with the extraction of high-quality aggregate materials. The proposed mining would be consistent with similar operations in this "sector" and would not threaten the potential to extract minerals in this area, as discussed in SMARA Section 2762. The classification of an area as a source of significant mineral deposits requires lead agencies to establish resource management policies that will emphasize the conservation and development of identified mineral deposits" (Section 2762 of SMARA). San Joaquin County has developed policies for the protection of aggregate resources in the County's Development Title (Chapter 9-1525) and for control of mining activities (Chapter 9-1415). As required by SMARA (Section 2755), the State Mining and Geology Board (SMGB) regulations for surface mining and reclamation practice and performance standards for reclamation (CCR Title 14, Chapter 8, Subchapter 1) are applicable to the proposed project. The regulations (Secs. 3500, et seq.) present objectives and required elements for reclamation plans. Required elements of the reclamation plan for addressing the environmental setting, public health and safety, steepness of excavated and filled slopes, and backfilling and grading of disturbed areas have been included in the proposed project application. The regulations also include minimum acceptable practices (Sec. 3503) for erosion control, backfilling and grading, and topsoil salvage, maintenance, and redistribution. As demonstrated in Section 7.2 (Regulatory Consistent Analysis), the � 9 rY Y proposed project appears to meet or exceed most of the acceptable practices and �q performance standards set forth in the regulations. J IMPACTS AND MITIGATION MEASURES �+ Significance g ante Criteria According to the State CEQA Guidelines, a project would have a significant impact if it would result in any of the following: Draft Environmental Impact Report 4-14 ER-96-3 fi